NCAAle
Gentle Ben's Brewing Company

 

 

Great fruit and vanilla notes. Really want the barrel aged version!!!

This brew claiming to been retired is totally untrue. I recently had this on tap November 2012. Pours a dark amber appearance with a thin lacing. A strong malt base serves us a broad and mellow fruitiness (figs, grapes) that adds a juicy kick to the toffee and roasted chocolate nuances. Soft alcohol presence. Earthy and citrusy hops work well, procuring sufficient balancing bitterness without throwing any disturbing acidity in the pot. Medium-full body, soft carbonation.

Brew poured a dark brown, quickly vanishing head but with very active carbonation. Aromas were complex- boozy malts, but a clean alcohol aroma as well, like cognac, almost fruity. Flavor was biting at first, but mellowed out after a few sips. Great ale body, very light mouthfeel and a great balance between the slightly roasted malts and the well hidden ABV. Finished with a fresh hop flourish and leaves you wanting more. Wish it was served in greater quantities!

Pours with a thick creamy, dense, 3 finger width light tan head that sits atop a deep amber colored brew. The aroma is dense with a complex dark malt aroma that roams from sweet and caramel like through to rich roasted chocolate notes. The aroma finishes with a hint of alcohol, and also has a very light diacetyl component, that will likely age out with time. The taste is complex and malty as well, but it also has a solid bitterness to it, as well as a bit of earthy hoppiness. The complex malt here is a bit much for a traditional Scotch ale, but it is definitely tasty and interesting. This is a tasty brew that I definitely recommend.

Dark brown color. Medium head. Aroma is malty. Full-bodied American Strong Ale. Malty and hoppy. Malts are nutty, touch of chocolate and coffee. Hops are grapefruity and piney. Full flavored beer. Fruity. Well balanced. Very smooth. Hides the 9.2 % alcohol very well. Fruity, raisins, plums and cherries. Very definitely a strong ale, as it has no real barley wine like quality. Mouthfeel is full and smooth. Finish is clean and smooth. Aftertaste is slightly bitter.

Medium-brown in color with a thin white head. Aroma is malty and fruity with a light hint of alcohol. Flavor starts off with a sweet caramel malt, develops a very pleasant raspberry-like fruitiness and finishes with a nice dose of citric hops, more than sufficient to balance. Medium-full in body, and very drinkable. Tasty! Available only on draught and only during the NCAA basketball tournaments.